Pages 3 to 21 - Seeg

Experience the
future now
We may have to go without some of
life’s luxuries in future, but not its little
conveniences! That’s because instead
of just saving energy we should be
thinking more in terms of ‘using energy
wisely’ – and that means finding better,
cheaper, more convenient and
sustainable ways of doing so.
Since 1987 the idea that farmers can produce
their own food for their own beasts
of burden – i.e. tractors – has become
reality.
Hatched by August Jost, Ferdinand
Potzinger and Karl Totter over a few beers
in the pub on 30 December 1985, this
crackpot caper was at times called the biggest
joke in the country over the following
decade.
It called for a move away from the dark
age of fossil fuels towards dazzlingly
clean sources of energy by unleashing the
impressive potential of natural sunlight,
flourishing fields of rape and constantly
regenerating biomass.
It called for a return to the proven cycles of
traditional farming.
After undergoing trials at the agricultural
college in Silberberg near Leibnitz from
1987 to 1989, this form of cyclical farming
was finally launched in Mureck. Premiered
on August 1987 at a ceremony held to
mark the pilot phase in Silberberg, Fred
Strohmaier’s Oil Field Saga (see page 36)
contains just what we people need in
order to stop using fossil fuels and turn to
renewable energy instead. After all, there is
no alternative to taking this step.
We have always kept local people in the
region and many other interested parties
far and wide beyond the borders of Styria
honestly and systematically informed
about the production and necessary use
of renewable forms of energy. More than
this, we have asked them to join us in
implementing the change.
As a result, Mureck saw the emergence of
SEEG Südsteirische Energie- und
Eiweißerzeugung reg.Gen.m.b.H.
(a cooperative producing energy and protein
in southern Styria), Nahwärme Mureck
GmbH (a provider of local heating to the
Mureck area) and Ökostrom Mureck GmbH
(an eco-friendly supplier of electricity) in
the years between 1990 and 2004. The
three service providers offer an integrated
system for supplying bio-diesel, heating,
bio-gas and eco-friendly electricity mainly
from the raw materials of the region.
Consequently, the region now uses these
sustainable and clean sources of energy.
As matters stand, the region is already set
to be 100% self-sufficient in meeting its
energy requirements by 2010 at the latest.
It just goes to show that virtually everyone
here in the Mureck region has come to
accept the need for switching to
renewable sources of energy even though
fossil fuels actually cost less at times
during this period.
An intact environment, security, added
value and the resultant increase in local
jobs represent values which are greatly
appreciated by the people of our region.
We owe the systematic launch and implementation
of this project to the inspiring
vision of former decision-makers in Styria
and at national level, in particular of farming
minister and Austrian vice-chancellor
Josef Riegler, Styrian counsellor for farming
Hermann Schaller, president of the Styrian
chamber of agriculture Erich Pöltl, chamber
supremo Dr. Heinz Kopetz
and Dr. Gerhard Jägerhuber. The members,
partners, officials and staff at Bioenergie
Sustainability as a strategy. A
model for the rest of the world.
Mureck are highly dedicated in performing
their work. The management board greatly
appreciate the qualities of this conscientious
team, which works enthusiastically
each day to ensure the success of the
utilities and create a quality environment
for the people of the region.
17 years of SEEG, nine years of Nahwärme
and the opening of the Ökostrom biogas
unit are more than enough reason to celebrate
with the general public at the ‘First
international climate-protecting-event’ on
September 01, 2007.
We will be introducing interested visitors
to our exemplary model which can be
replicated in many of the world’s regions.
Each inclusion of bio-diesel, heating, biogas
and eco-friendly electricity into an
integrated system is a vital contribution to
the future.
We are extremely proud that of the 1,230
projects from 83 countries which were
entered for the 2001 World Energy Globe
Awards, Mureck Energiekreislauf was
awarded first prize. The Climate Alliance
municipality of Mureck was awarded the
European Solar Prize in 2006. We are very
proud to have received this award.
Let us now join together in taking this
message out to the world and ensure we
have many imitators, because after all,
it is the only way to ensure we can look
forward to a peaceful, sustainable future.
Karl Totter, chairman of the SEEG management board
Karl Totter jun., SEEG management board
Josef Reiter-Haas,
chairman of the SEEG management board
Gernot Breitenhuber, SEEG management board
3

Bioenergy Cycle ureck
4
Bringing self-sufficiency to the region
with renewable sources of energy!
Experience the future now by discovering that a
self-sufficient energy loop really can work quite separately
from a conventional supply of energy.
It all began at 30 December 1985, an idea someone came
up with down the pub.
How to take personal charge of electricity,
heating, fuel and fertilisers. How to
become independent from the world
market and all its risks by meeting your
personal requirements with raw materials
from the local region.
That’s what they were talking about
down the pub. Just 15 years ago.
World supplies of crude oil will peak before
2010 before falling off by 2-3% each
year thereafter. That means a fundamental
break with the developments of the
past 150 years, because up to now the
world supply of crude oil has increased
in line with growing demand. Yet while
supplies of crude oil will become scarcer,
world demand for the commodity is
surging. In Austria alone the consumption
of crude oil went up by 10% from
SEEG chairman Karl Totter and some of
his friends wanted to take charge of the
region’s development and reduce its dependence
on the vagaries of the world
market. ‘Let’s keep our work and money
in Europe!’ they thought. And it turned
out that many other people in the region
increasingly thought it was actually a
very feasible idea – not some half-baked
2000 to 2002. These developments will
lead to a destabilisation of oil prices and
national economies which will have the
most severe impacts on countries with
the greatest exposure to crude oil and
natural gas as a result of their liberal
energy policy.
A liberal energy policy has no place in
responsible measures to safeguard our
future, because the market only signals
future energy shortages when it is far
too late for a counter-strategy to prove
effective.
scheme hatched down the pub. If they
hadn’t, the idea would never have got off
the ground.
Today, the pioneers of self-sufficiency for
the region through renewable sources of
energy have provided local people with
a feeling of security. That, too, we regard
as a form of civil defence!
Thought up once, ...
... thought out again, ...
... in fact, thought right through!
The executive board and governors of SEEG Mureck
setting the cornerstone for a forward-looking project
back in the founding year of 1989.
That’s what they were talking about down the pub.
Just 15 years ago.
The most important counter-strategy
is to drive forward the development of
renewable sources of energy together
with flanking measures to boost energy
efficiency and energy-saving.
Heinz Kopet
President of the European Biomass Association
An all-round business
The Mureck energy cycle boosts the regional economy!
Bioenergie
Mureck
End user
Rapeseed
Electricity
Used cooking oil
Biogas
Benefits and sustainability:
Environmental dividend: • 45,000 to of CO 2 saved each year
Security: • secure provision of energy even during times of crisis
Convenience: • fully automatic, no dust, odour or noise
Added value: • biodiesel: 10m litres
Operating performance • local heating : 8,500 MWh.
• eco-electricity : 8,400 MWh.
Quality of life: • lasting production for soil, water and air
Jobs: • 20 permanent local jobs
• 25 permanent jobs with contractual partners
• plus permanent jobs at surrounding farms through production
and supply of raw materials
Bioheating
5

Bioenergy Cycle ureck
Building up powerful
shared values
The path to the joint development of the former
border region of Mureck was clear right from the start and
systematic progress has been made over the years.
From the very start progress was made
down the path to the joint development
of the former border region. The basic
idea was to open up new, promising
sources of added value with united
forces from the region itself. That could
only work by placing the entire region
in the centre of attention right from the
start. And this is also why SEEG possesses
a very special structure with its 580
owners.
‘Are we just going to make it or are we
heading for certain disaster?’ – Germany’s
former minister of employment Norbert
Blüm asked this question about the
current prospects for mankind.
Indeed, the ‘civilisation of despoliation’
we now see practised across the world on
man, nature and limited natural resources
has no future. And an increasingly
propagated and practised ‘civilisation of
egoism’ – ‘meanness is magic’ – holds out
The resolute determination to act on
a joint basis is not only revealed in the
ownership structure, or in dealings with
customers and regional suppliers. The
goal continues to be the optimum inclusion
of existing structures for the mutual
benefit of all.
After SEEG won the 2001 World Energy
Globe Award and proved that the
sustainable energy supply of a region is
already possible now and not tomorrow,
Mureck again pointed the way forward
with its bio-energy beacon, a sign that
peace is safeguarded in the region.
little prospect of lasting peace.
There is an alternative: the ‘real utopia’
of the ‘global Marshall Plan for a worldwide
eco-social market economy’ as a
European initiative is currently gaining
enormous ground. Its goal is to pursue a
twofold strategy.
First, fair development chances for all
through the efficient funding of UN development
goals (e.g. through minimum
levies payable on global transfers of
capital).
An exemplary
eco-social model
This project was completed by Styria’s
vocational school in Mureck, with the
bio-diesel fuelled fire provided by a different
local company each year. It is very
much a community-driven project. The
outer part of the beacon features four
notions of nature, energy, region and
peace. These four words reveal the core
values behind the vision and implementation
of Bioenergie Mureck.
Second, a fair market economy for all
through a worldwide eco-social market
economy (i.e. the implementation of
binding ecological and social standards
throughout the world in all global institutions
– WTO, UNO, World Bank, etc.)
Dr. Josef Riegler
A secure and sustainable energy supply
ensures social stability
Chamber of industry president Gady, president Pöltl,
regional counsellor Schaller, farmer’s federation
director Molterer, MP Kowald breaking ground at the ‘house’
where the bio-diesel production was born in Mureck.
Pointing the
way forward
The Bioenergie Mureck beacon as a clearly visible symbol of peace through the safeguarding of local energy supplies.
21st century man must be prepared to
learn once more from nature, to live with
nature and to use natural resources with
great care.
In the long term, the sun is our only
risk-free provider of energy and nature
our energy reservoir. We must use her
carefully if our energy cycle is to work.
Our region is where we live and work,
A regional supply of energy offers
security and quality of life
Security
Nature
Climate protection Energy
Region
Employment
and our priority concern must be to
push for the further development of
joint, regional cycles of added value.
A region must be able to finance itself
before it finances other regions.
A secure, stable and sustainable energy
supply in the region is a guarantor for
peace!
Producing sustainability in the cycle of nature by using
renewable sources of energy
6 7
Peace

Bioenergy Cycle ureck
Clear structures
Thanks to clear structuring in its ownership and management fields, Bioenergie
Mureck can operate as an efficient, cost-saving energy provider. And it can do so
whatever the form of energy!
Seeg
reg.Gen.m.b.H.
Approx. 580 farmers
Local authorities
Manufacturing companies
Waste disposal federations
Seeg
reg.Gen.m.b.H. 1989
Chairman:
Karl Totter
Executive manager:
Gernot Breitenhuber
Production manager:
Heinrich Rossmann
Ownership structure
Nahwärme
Ges.m.b.H.
SEEG
2 farmers
Management structure
Nahwärme
Ges.m.b.H. 1998
Executive managers:
Gernot Breitenhuber,
Karl Totter jun.
Production manager:
Herbert Leitgeb
Finance:
Waltraud Lederhaas
Controlling: Mag. Manfred Niederl
Senior Manager: ÖKR. Karl Totter
Clear areas of responsibility
Ökostrom
Ökostrom
Ges.m.b.H.
Ges.m.b.H.
Nahwärme Ges.m.b.H. Mureck
7 farmers
Ökostrom
Ges.m.b.H. 2003
Executive managers:
Gernot Breitenhuber,
Karl Totter jun.
Production manager:
Wolfgang Sommer
Seeg
reg.Gen.m.b.H. 1989
• 570 members
• 10% bio-diesel from
rapeseed
• 90% bio-diesel from
used cooking oil
• 10m litres bio-diesel/year
Nahwärme
Ges.m.b.H. 1998
• 3 partners (SEEG
+ 2 farmers)
• 7.5 MW rated output
• 250 customers
• 85% of total heating
requirements in Mureck
• Costs per household:
1,000 kWh EUR 90 incl. VAT
15,000 kWh annual
consumption
= EUR 1,350
• Connection costs for 10 kW
= EUR 5,000–6,000
• No financial grants
currently available for
connections
A meticulously organised
constellation of companies
Ökostrom
Ges.m.b.H. 2003
• 8 partners (Nahwärme
+ 7 farmers)
• 1,000 kW rated output
• Use of waste heat from
local heating (no heat loss)
• Power also fed into
public grid
• Use of liquid manure,
raw plant materials, maize,
silage and glycerine phase
of bio-diesel production
• 300 ha area for raw
materials, 500 ha area for
substrates used for
spreading
Start-up: February 2005
uar 2005
8 59
Customers:
Farmers
Local authorities
Public and private transport
companies
Freight forwarders and
hauliers
Petrol stations
The company
The oldest of the three companies
– SEEG – is a co-operative which constantly
works to promote the interests of
its members. Important business information
(such as total sales, harvest yields,
production volumes, but also visions for
the future, etc.) is communicated at the
specially appointed general meetings.
Held at least twice a year, they also act as
a forum for formulating and discussing
proposals and ideas.
Bioenergy Cycle ureck

Bioenergy Cycle ureck
Regional economic growth
through energy-saving measures
The impact on the local economy
By meeting the energy requirements of the local
population, the Mureck ‘energy cycle’ helps to tie
down locally generated revenue to the region,
thereby strengthening and boosting the local
economy.
If over 85% of people in the Mureck region had continued to use heating
oil as a fuel instead of opting to switch to renewable energy sources in
the form of bioheating, they would have had to pay EUR 325,000 more in
2006 than they currently spend on the new local heating system.
Unlike other regions, the Mureck population now has this additional
money at its disposal. Imagine that the people spend this same amount
of money on shopping in the region: it all helps to provide greater job
security and closed added value cycles. Thus local heating plays an active
role in regenerating the local economy. Furthermore, as a result of the
high price of crude oil, the difference in price between biodiesel and
fossil diesel also amounted to EUR 1.000,000. Altogether in 2006 a EUR
1.325,000 increase in purchasing power was obtained simply as a result
of the savings gained from the decision to opt for sustainable products.
Bioenergie Mureck has played a key role
in the overall transformation of what was
once a highly underdeveloped region.
What makes its contribution so special
is the fact that this development was
instigated by the players themselves,
without the aid of a major investor from
outside the region or a powerful local
energy utility. At Bioenergie Mureck,
sustainability was characterised by the
self-initiative, individual responsibility
and personal commitment of the players
right from the start.
The company’s activities have enabled
capital flows from exports to circulate
once more in the region and triggered a
considerable programme of investments
in the local economy. Until now, 20 permanent
jobs have been created at the
company. And as if that wasn’t enough,
jobs have also been created or at least
maintained at local suppliers’ – craftsmen,
farmers and caterers, etc. A region
has come to life again.
Only 4% of the population is made up of
farmers, so it was clear that the specific
form and usefulness of Bioeenergie
Mureck had to be conceived to include
a far greater number of groups. After all,
an idea can only begin to take shape if
it has a groundswell of support in the
region.
Sustainable development is particularly
evident in the deliberate creation of
structures and different ways people
work with each other to achieve a common
goal. Bioenergie Mureck shows a
clear example of this in its organisational
structure. SEEG has incorporated its 570
members from quite different fields into
a cooperative. At Nahwärme Mureck,
SEEG has teamed up with two farmers
to run the company, and a further seven
farmers enjoy co-ownership of Ökostrom
Mureck.
Forward-looking ideas
bear fruit
Sustainable development can also be
seen in the receptive and inclusive
approach the project adopts to people.
Nahwärme Mureck was jointly prepared
and planned with local residents and the
local authority. Even though the initial
phase incurred extra costs for the population,
50% signed up to the scheme
right from the start – today, that figure
is fast approaching 87%. After viewing
the facts and perspectives related to this
development, local residents in Mureck
have opted to go down the joint
regional path to self-sufficiency in
energy with Bioenergie Mureck.
Their decision is now starting to reap
dividends. Both biodiesel and local
heating from cuttings are now far
cheaper than fossil fuels such as heating
oil or diesel.
10 11

Bioenergy Cycle ureck
Reinforcing the idea of
regional value
The building of the biogas system provides
a good example of how sustainability
is experienced in everyday life.
Many operators of biogas units struggle
to deal with objections of local residents
at the planning permission stage or
with complaints when the system goes
online. But not at Bioenergie Mureck.
In fact, the local authority in charge of
negotiations was more than surprised
when no-one turned up to take part in
the public hearing. That was only possible
because the Bioenergie management
had systematically integrated local
residents and the Mureck local authority
into the planning process from the very
start. As a result, the site of the biogas
plant was changed at a very early stage
of joint decision-making.
Bioenergie Mureck also assumes responsibility
for tourism in the region. Each
year some 6,000 visitors come to see not
just the energy plants, but the region itself.
And it was only thanks to the efforts
of Bioenergie Mureck that one of the
energy sites on eastern Styria’s Energy
Display Road was sited in Mureck, thereby
attracting more visitors to the area.
In both cases Bioenergie Mureck has
helped to strengthen regional tourism.
Its energy concept has been linked deliberately
to the region’s restaurants and
local providers of specialities, with joint
activities and campaigns being staged
on a regular basis.
A further project should see a sales outlet
for special regional products being
set up at Bioenergie Mureck. By doing
The incorporation of the Mureck energy cycle into
Styria’s Energy Display Road has particularly
opened up opportunities for regional tourism
Built in 2001, the Mureck energy venue provides
visitors with an explanation of the Mureck
energy cycle and is the region’s energy filling station.
so, the company will be able to offer a
source of information for other regional
attractions and support local tourist establishments
and restaurants. So another
cycle is already starting to close.
What’s more, the building of the biogas
unit has been a major boon to the
tourism industry, since it cuts down
extensively on the unpleasant smell
caused from spreading liquid manure in
the fields.
Social guidelines:
Systematic compliance
with strict guidelines
• Enhanced quality of life.
People can stay in the region they
are proud of!
• Extensive information to enable
local population to gain awareness of
sustainable cycles in the region.
• Activities to be set and implemented
on a joint basis (580 members of
SEEG, Nahwärme and Ökostrom).
• Creation and safeguarding of jobs
to give people another chance to
stay in the region.
• Establishment and development of
a theme in the region to provide
orientation and renewed strength.
• Closer cooperation and networking
of associations and companies
(cooperation with schools and
associations, e.g. fire brigade
exercise at district level,
bioenergy festival, biodiesel day,
bioenergy beacon).
• Contribution to regional tourism
(6,000 visitors to Bioenergy region
Mureck each year).
Economic principles:
• 20 permanent jobs created within
the company.
20-25 permanent jobs created
for the collection of used cooking oil.
• 12 permanent jobs* created in
farming for the supply of rapeseed
600 ha, raw materials for biogas
(grass, maize) 300 ha and wood chips
730 ha forest for 11,000 srm
(15 srm/ha/yr).
• EUR 22-26m investment programme
(direct investments at
Bioenergie Mureck: EUR 9.4m for
SEEG, EUR 7.2m for Nahwärme,
EUR 5.6m for Ökostrom, of which up
to EUR 1.4m for all suppliers from
Austria and EUR 5-8m of investments
in the supply chain.**
• Maintenance work farmed out to
local contractors (electricians,
machine fitters, joiners).
• About 6,000 visitors go on a tour of
Bioenergie Mureck each year, thereby
helping the region to become better
known and contributing to direct
expenditure in the region
(restaurants).
* According to the local chamber of agriculture’s Grüne
Berichte, procurement of raw materials requires 15 hours of
work per ha and year and sustainable forestry 10 hours of
work per ha and year.
** Assessment based on 0.3 to 0.5% added value, staff, type
of utility (heating, diesel), indirect jobs (possible earnings in
the rural sector), waste and energy costs avoided, investment
volumes, life environment, contribution to tourism, stimulation
of associations.
12 13

Bioenergy Cycle ureck
14
Impact on the regional environment
Bioenergie Mureck can make an important
contribution to the environment due to the extensive
implementation of its energy cycle in all key areas
ranging from reduced volumes of waste and the
prevention of local emissions to biodiversity.
Apart from the mandatory requirements to
separate waste and use a mineral oil separator,
Bioenergie Mureck has also adopted its
own measures to enhance the environment:
• Incorporation of a bio filter to reduce
unpleasant smells from the biogas unit
• Dust filter unit for reducing dust
emissions from the biomass cauldrons
Environmental protection as the
basis for a high quality of life
Products from Bioenergie
Mureck actually enhance
the environment
Air:
Energy sources used by customers
The priority aim of Nahwärme was to
reduce emissions from domestic heating
by introducing a wood chips-fired system
with a textile filter unit. The decision
was taken right at the start to opt for this
more effective (though more expensive)
variant for dust removal because of Bioenergie
Mureck’s resolute commitment
to a sustainable energy cycle. The new
system provides optimum relief to this
problem. Use of bio-diesel also lowers
emissions caused by motor vehicles, not
to mention hazards such as major oil
tanker accidents and emissions in the
oil-producing countries. Furthermore,
the creation of local jobs helps to reduce
the volume of local traffic.
Integrative interplay of the
cycles of nature
Climate:
Vol. 2006 Energy content [kWh] [kg CO2/a]
Wood chips 11,085 srm 8.868,000 2.660,400
Biodiesel 8,739 t 97.320,650 29.196,212
Glycerine 3,874 t 23.244,000 6.973,200
Biomethane 2.100,000 Nm 3 21.000,000 6.300,000
Total 150.432,650 45.129,812
On the basis of calculations, the region
will be able to avoid completely the output
of greenhouse gas relevant amounts
of CO2 with the switch to biodiesel and
bioheating (and eco-electricity from
2005).
Since there are a wide range of conflicting
opinions and studies on auditing
RME and its indirect CO2 emissions, we
have only indicated fossil CO2 emissions
which have been directly avoided.
(These values must be lowered if indirect
emissions for fossil and renewable
sources of energy are factored in and the
different efficiency of each system also
included.)
15

Bioenergie-Kreislauf
ureck
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
A pioneer on the road to
zero emissions
Thanks to its collection
system, SEEG ensured that
9000 t less of used cooking
oil entered the local
sewerage system each year.
Waste / wastewater:
The SEEG collection system has not only
prevented the sewerage system and
wastewater treatment plants from damage
and therefore greater expenditure:
it has also helped people to realise that
important raw materials can be reused
for a useful purpose instead of being
thrown away. SEEG has adopted an
operational waste management scheme
that enables it to process the highest
possible amount of reusable waste. Its
own production activities do not generate
direct waste since the ash from local
heating is used as a fertiliser, residue
from filtering used cooking oil for composting
and rapeseed cake for animal
feed. In future, all biogenic waste will
also be used to provide energy directly
in the bio-gas unit. Hence Bioenergie
Mureck is well on the way to becoming
a zero-emissions plant. Paper, plastics
and metals are properly captured so that
only a small amount of residual waste is
incurred.
Rapeseed cake, eco-diesel and glycerine phase (GLP) production
Soil / area requirements:
The cultivation of rapeseed has improved
the quality and compactness of the
soil, leading to improved crop rotation. By moving
away from single-crop farming, Bioenergie
Mureck has managed to allay a frequently
raised concern of the local population. This
new approach will be reinforced by the
planting of new crops (such as Sudan grass)
for the biogas unit.
Up to 890 ha of fields have been used to grow
rapeseed. The production of biodiesel has
clearly helped to reduce the level of environmental
risk. The raw material requirements
of Nahwärme Mureck have helped to ensure
that 750 ha of forest are managed on a
sustainable basis and kept in good health.
Improvements in crop rotation have also
been achieved thanks to the recently
built biogas unit, which obviates the need for
extra fertilisation with liquid manure. What’s
more, bio-gas manure is kinder to crops and
will eventually completely replace the use of
mineral-based fertilisers. Apart from the liquid
manure obtained from livestock farming,
maize and green fodder are also used in the
bio-gas unit.
Ecological benefits:
Ecological benefits are
a top priority
• Reduction of emissions through
more convenient local heating
instead of domestic fires – now even
with reduced costs.
• Less traffic because more people can
live and work in the region.
• Lower emissions from biodiesel
compared with fossil diesel
(soot, SO 2 , fine particles).
• Reduction of environmental hazards
(diesel 70% degradable,
bio-diesel 99.6%).
• Reduction of climatically relevant
greenhouse gases (only 15% indirect
CO 2 emissions).
• Utilisation of forestry residues and
waste wood from the sawmills.
0 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1 994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1 994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
------- Rapeseed cake production in t ----- Eco-diesel production in t ------- Glycerine phase Members Rapeseed area in ha Processing of used cooking oil in t
Quantity per unit
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
• Less used cooking oil as problem
waste in sewerage system and
wastewater treatment plant.
Members, rapeseed area in ha, processing of used cooking oil in t
• Biogas unit is set to bring more crop
friendly fertilisation and improved
crop rotation.
9189 t
17

Bioenergy Cycle ureck
18
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
100%
12%
Plant-based energy
for a clean future
1991 witnessed the production of a modest
150 t of biodiesel – today, output has grown
to the highly respectable figure of over 6,000
tonnes / year
From the field to the tank
Environmental benefits of bio-diesel
100%
15%
100%
50%
Sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ) Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) Soot Biological degrade period (in 21 days)
Fossil diesel Biodiesel
70%
99,6%
The biggest challenge currently lies in the field of transport. Well over 90% of private motor
vehicle owners are dependent on oil imports.
Particularly in rural areas, biodiesel offers
a genuine alternative to fossil fuels
– even though it is clear that biofuels
alone cannot solve the question of a
sustainable transport system. The central
aim here is for the farmer to be able to
open up a new area of business as a
regional supplier of fuel. By doing so, he
and the region become less dependent
on the oil-producing countries and their
instable prices.
While it is true that biodiesel alone is not
the solution, it has become increasingly
important for the region to
strengthen its cycles and structures
in order to reduce the volume of road
traffic. One way to achieve this is to
create jobs in the region, which is what
Bioenergie Mureck has done. The Mureck
bio-energy cycle has adopted a critical
stance to large RME plants since they are
unable to offer the benefits described
here and because of the emergence of
new dependencies through the necessary
import of rapeseed oil, which stands
in the way of a sustainable energy policy.
The EU biofuel directive (Directive
2003/30/EC) for the promotion of biogenic
fuels aims to encourage the greater
addition of biodiesel to conventional
fossil fuel. In Austria, the directive came
into effect in November 2004 together
with the amended fuel directive. The
goal of achieving a minimum admixture
of 2.5% by October 1, 2005 and at least
5.75% by 2008 is an important incentive
for using farm-made biogenic fuels.
Rapeseed improves crop rotation.
The aim, therefore, is to enhance crop
rotation for biogas as well as for (green)
fodder and food. Due to the nine months
it spends in the soil and its system of
deep roots, rapeseed is actually ideal
for this overall system of crop rotation,
since it helps to relieve the strain on
underground water. Rapeseed is used
completely in Bioenergie Mureck’s
energy cycle: the oil is turned into fuel,
glycerine energy is harnessed for local
heating (soon it will also be used in the
production of biogas) and as a complete
fertiliser for improving the substrate,
while rapeseed cake is a quality
source of high protein fodder. Thus
sustainability is experienced here in
the form of cyclical farming. A biodiesel
generator also provides emergency
power to SEEG, Nahwärme and Ökostrom,
thereby ensuring that the energy
can indeed be supplied on a sustainable
basis.
Integrative interplay
of the cycles of nature
Up to 1,350 litres of biodiesel can be
obtained from one hectare of rapeseed.
About 800 ha of land is currently being
used by SEEG’s suppliers to grow rapeseed,
leading to a production volume of
some 1.08m litres of bio-diesel.
In addition, some 140 litres of fuel are
required to cultivate the rapeseed fields,
meaning that 7,710 ha of fields can be
cultivated from the current 800 ha. Put in
another ways and assuming an average
consumption rate of 5 l / 100 km, this is
the same fuel needed to travel 21.6m
km, enough to meet the complete fuel
requirements of 1,550 Austrian drivers
or to drive around the world 491 times
every year. In 2001, each car in Austria
covered an average 13,900 km of road
a year.
(Source: ASFINAG)
Balance of energy in biodiesel production for the Biowärme Mureck system:
Energy deployed
Total oil consumption for planting, harvesting, drying and transport 2,050 kWh
Processing of biodiesel (electricity, methanol, KOH) 2,450 kWh
Transport of finished products (biodiesel, rapeseed cake, glycerine phase) 350 kWh
Straw harvest 400 kWh
Total energy deployed 5,250 kWh
Energy yield
Total energy generated (biodiesel, rapeseed cake, glycerine phase, others) 23,300 kWh
Resultant positive balance of energy 1 : 4,44
19

Bioenergy Cycle ureck
20
Biodiesel and
rapeseed cake for
farms
Euro
Production
of raw materials
Farms
For a better
environment
The biodiesel system
at SEEG Mureck
Drying and
storing in the
region’s depots
A regional cycle replaces raw material sales
Revenue from rapeseed sales and the use of biodiesel and rapeseed cake (per tonne of rapeseed)
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
224 233 246 316 269 354
0
Biodiesel price/lit EUR 0,80 EUR 0,90 EUR 1,00
Rapeseed cake price/kg EUR 0,21 EUR 0,21 EUR 0,21
Rapeseed sales Use of biodiesel and rapeseed cake
Growing rapeseed and
processing it into fuel has
opened up completely new
perspectives and sources of
income for rural farmers.
A critical observation
Converting rapeseed oil into biodiesel
requires both methanol and energy. Converted
engines can also run directly on
rapeseed oil. While both statements are
completely true, we also see a number of
other RME benefits from using regional
systems: biodiesel can be used in all
standard diesel engines with relatively
small conversion costs, but conversion
for pure vegetable oil use is more expensive
(EUR 3,000 – 4,000). Hence there are
cost benefits at the moment from using
RME. Initially, SEEG also intended that the
farmers only use vegetable oil but given
the third-party drying costs and high
expenditure on storage and handling
the farmers eventually decided to opt for
a regional biodiesel system.
In SEEG’s overall concept, the by-product
of transesterification – the glycerine phase
– is used as a form of energy in the
local heating and biogas unit.
In future the system should be able to
meet its own requirements for methanol.
This means that the fossil methanol
which is currently used will eventually
be replaced by methanol made from
sustainable sources.
Aspects of sustainability
Biodiesel can be said to make an indirect
contribution to securing peace because
it offers independence from the vagaries
of the world market and the insecurity of
the oil-producing countries.
The use of biodiesel in motor vehicles
leads to a reduction in the amount of
most pollutant emissions (especially
CO, HC, particles, and 50% less soot
emissions). Furthermore, this fuel does
not contain sulphur. However, the use of
bio-diesel can also lead to slightly higher
NO X emissions, especially when engines
are driven to their performance limits.
The amount of fine particles in biodiesel
is somewhat less than in fossil diesel, a
point which is of particular relevance to
the current debate.
Since biodiesel is rapidly biodegradable,
it reduces the level of environmental
risk particularly in sensitive areas
such as water reserves, gravel ditches, ski
slopes, etc.
Avoidance of climatically relevant CO 2
emissions: biodiesel combustion leads to
reduced direct greenhouse gas emissions
caused by motor vehicles.
There is considerable potential for
achieving savings if the whole of the
fuel manufacturing process is taken
into account because the growing plant
bonds with the same amount of CO 2
Natural power for the horses
of the 21st century
as is emitted during fuel combustion.
To achieve the optimum reduction of
the potential greenhouse gas effect
when rape is grown, an environmentally
friendly, fertiliser-intensive approach to
crop cultivation must be adopted, with
the by-products from the manufacture
of biofuels (e.g. glycerine, animal feed)
eventually being utilised for a sensible
purpose. At Bioenergie Mureck almost
all of the farmers run their tractors on
bio diesel. If in future fully fermented bio
gas manure is used for fertilisation and
methanol is produced from the biogas,
SEEG bio-diesel will then be obtained
completely on the basis of renewable
energy sources in the first balance cycle.
21